BiH institutions, independent bodies and civil society actors are strengthening their skills and knowledge to apply freedom of expression and access-to-information standards more effectively in domestic practice. This week in Jahorina, members of the Cross-Coordinating Working Group on Monitoring and Reporting on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Information took part in a series of practical training sessions on protecting freedom of expression online and balancing access to information with the right to privacy.

Participants learned about relevant Council of Europe standards, especially the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. They explored how international rules apply to online content, the opportunities and risks the internet brings, and when limits on freedom of expression may be justified. They studied cases such as the 2023 judgment Sanchez v France, where the Court found that public figures can be held responsible for not removing violent or hateful comments from their social media.

The second part of the training focused on the basics of the right to information and the right to privacy. Through group work and practical exercises, participants strengthened their skills in applying access-to-information laws while still protecting personal data.

One participant highlighted the practical value of the training for everyday institutional work: “These sessions gave us clear, usable guidance. Understanding how international standards apply in real situations will help us make better decisions and protect people’s rights more effectively,” they said.

Created in 2023 by the BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees with support from the Council of Europe, the Working Group aims to build stronger domestic capacities to monitor, analyse, and report on freedom of expression and access to information, and to help Bosnia and Herzegovina meet its international obligations in these areas.

The training sessions were held as part of the project “Enhancing Institutional Capacities on Freedom of Expression and Information (EFEx) in Bosnia and Herzegovina,“ which is funded under the Council of Europe's Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025 through the voluntary contribution of Sweden via the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).